Masters survey 2025: Nine great answers from Gary Player, the oldest living Masters champ

USA Today

20-03-2025

Masters survey 2025: Nine great answers from Gary Player, the oldest living Masters champ
With the passing of Jack Burke Jr. last year, Gary Player is the oldest living Masters champion at 89. He also takes the annual Golfweek Masters Survey more seriously than just about anyone.
Last year, we ran his entire response as a Q&A, while this time, we've scaled it back to our nine favorite answers, but don't fear, we promise his "back nine" of answers will be sprinkled in the Masters Survey with the other responses.
And with that, it's officially Masters Survey season. Enjoy!
GWK: What is your greatest Masters keepsake?
GP: For me, the greatest keepsake isn't something you can hold—it's the memories of meeting Bobby Jones and President Eisenhower at Augusta National.
GWK: What's one ritual you have Masters week?
GP: Every year at the top of Magnolia Lane, I say a prayer of thanks for the privilege of being back at this great tournament. It's an honor I never take for granted.
GWP: One word to describe the drive down Magnolia Lane? If you play music, what song do you play in the car?
GP: Gratitude. To have played in the Masters more than anyone and to be making my 67th visit this year is simply incredible.
Entering into the gates each year, I get out of my car and walk in silence like I did my first tournament. But I do come and go frequently, so, I like to play 'Y.M.C.A.' or 'How Great Thou Art' by Carl Moberg.
GWK: What past champion would you most want on your bag?
GP: I'd take Jack Nicklaus but you have to get him a cart.
GWK: What's one concession item that they should add to the menu?
GP: Green juice, they need something healthy for energy that fuels the patrons to walk the grounds all day.
GWK: Who do you typically sit next to at the Champions Dinner and what two current players not currently Masters champs would you most like to see at the dinner in the future?
GP: I sit next to Nick Faldo and Vijay Singh. Rory McIlroy, he will get there, and Bryson DeChambeau because he is a fantastic person and always makes it a point to greet me with a handshake and hat off every time I see him. I hope to greet him the same way at the Champions Dinner one day.
GWK: Your perfect foursome for one last round at Augusta National?
GP: Donald Trump, Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and Lee Quo U of Singapore.
GWK: What's the best shot you've ever hit at ANGC?
GP: This might be considered lucky, but I was buried in the back bunker on Hole 12 under the lip with water on the other side. It was so far under I almost declared unplayable. I decided to hit way behind so it would come back in the bunker. I couldn't' see the ball under the lip so I took a hard swing and it went in the hole. I could try that a thousand more times and never hole it. But that was 80 percent luck.
But really, the best shot was my putt in 1978 on 18 from 22 feet above the hole to come back in 30-64 to win.
GWK: What's the worst shot you've ever hit at ANGC?
GP: It was the year I finished second to Jack (1965). I had the most perfect lie on 15 and knocked it in the water. It didn't even resemble a good shot.